# NTSB ERA10CA212: Cessna 172K, N79234, Romney, WV, April 3, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 3, 2010, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Romney, WV
- Coordinates: 39.394721, -78.679443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3947&lon=-78.6794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75663/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75663
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA212

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to land with a 20-knot tailwind and his failure to initiate a go-around, which resulted in a runway overrun.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While landing on a 2,290-foot private turf runway, the airplane continued beyond the end of the runway, went through a barbed wire fence, and collided with a tree. The pilot stated that he landed with a 20-knot tailwind and was unable to stop before the end of the runway. The airplane’s right wing was substantially damaged. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported by the pilot.

## Factual narrative

While landing on a 2,290-foot private turf runway, the airplane continued beyond the end of the runway, went through a barbed wire fence, and collided with a tree. The pilot stated he landed with a 20-knot tailwind and was unable to stop before the end of the runway. The airplane’s right wing was substantially damaged. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported by the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79234](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79234), registered now, S/N 17257986, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257986
- Airframe hours: 1986
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thompson Loudoun L
- Registered owner: Thompson Loudoun L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 2009
- Departed: WV67, Romney, WV
- Destination: WV67, Romney, WV
- Airport: WV67, Eastview Private Airport, runway 23, 2,290 × 20 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 26, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 958 total, 638 in this make and model, 845 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: CBE, 14 nm away

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 10, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75663. 1.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 522 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329102&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329403&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329417&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Front View of Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 518 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Front%20View%20of%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Rear View of Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 500 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Rear%20View%20of%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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